WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION   
IP/C/W/558/Add.5 
14 October 2011  
 
(11-5079) 
Council for Trade-Related Aspects of 
Intellectual Property Rights Original:   English 
 
 
 
REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ARTICLE 66.2 
OF THE TRIPS AGREEMENT 
 
SWITZERLAND 
 
Addendum 
  
 The following communication, dated 7 October 2011, is being circulated at the request of the 
delegation of Switzerland. 
 
_______________ 
 
 
I. INTRODUCTION 
1. In paragraph 11.2 of the Decision on Impl ementation-Related Issues and Concerns 
(WT/MIN(01)/17), adopted in Doha on 14 November  2001, developed country Members reaffirmed 
their commitment to provide enterprises and in stitutions incentives to promote and encourage 
technology transfer to least-developed country Me mbers ("LDCs"), pursuant to Article 66.2 of the 
Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS Agreement).  In its 
Decision (IP/C/28) of 19 February 2003, the Co uncil for Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual 
Property Rights (Council for TRIPS) agreed that developed country Members shall submit annually 
reports on actions taken or planned in pursuance of their commitments under Article 66.2 of the 
TRIPS Agreement.  Furthermore, it was agreed that new detailed reports shall be delivered every third 
year and that updates shall be provided in the intervening years. 
2. According to this obligation, and taking the Decision of the Council for TRIPS into account, 
Switzerland herewith submits its update to last y ear's report (IP/C/W/551/Add.2 of 18 October 2010) 
and the revised report of 2009 (IP/C/W/536/Add.3 of  20 October 2009).  The report reflects all new 
relevant developments in Switzerland. 
3. In 2009, Switzerland thoroughly reviewed the cont ent and format of its reports from previous 
years, taking into particular account the co mments made by LDCs at the WTO workshop on 
Article 66.2 of the TRIPS Agreement, which was he ld on 27 October 2008 in Geneva, as well as the 
conclusions from the discussion at that workshop.  In addition, the analysis of the Members' reports 
by academics and organisations was reviewed in orde r to explore ways to better facilitate technology 
transfer and better document-related measures in futu re reports.  The re-evaluation of the format and 
content of the Swiss report 2008 showed no need fo r major systemic amendments.  In drafting the 
new report, emphasis was put on the following points:  (i) further clarification of the term "technology 
transfer";  (ii) a focus on measures which are solely or at least mainly targeted at LDCs;  (iii) the 
addition of a new category of Global Projects in A nnex I of the report;  and (iv) a limitation to 
projects with a budget value of a minimum of Sw F 100,000. IP/C/W/558/Add.5 
Page 2  
 
  4. Switzerland's understanding of "technology transfer" includes a broad set of processes 
covering the flows of know-how, experience and equi pment amongst different stakeholders such as 
governments, private sector entities, financial ins titutions, NGOs and research/education institutions.  
Incentives and activities reported here belong to any of the following four key modes of technology 
transfer, as per a UN definition, which have previous ly been used by other Members in their reports:  
(i) physical objects or equipment;  (ii) skills and human aspects of technology management and 
learning;  (iii) designs and blueprints whic h constitute the document-embodied knowledge on 
information and technology; and (iv) production a rrangement linkages within which technology is 
operated, including the enabling envi ronment for such transfer.  Foreign direct investment, official 
development assistance (ODA), commercial lending and e quity investment are all important channels 
through which technology transfer is financed.  The present report is focused on technology transfer 
under ODA financing. Switzerland provides incentiv es in numerous sectors contributing to 
sustainable development in LDCs and believes that  this assistance should be comprehensive and not 
be limited to certain areas.  
II. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES INVOLVED IN THE PROVISION OF INCENTIVES 
FOR TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER 
5. There are mainly two Swiss government agencies involved in the provision of incentives, 
either directly or indirectly, for Swiss as well as for other developed country Members' enterprises and 
institutions to engage in activities involving technolog y transfer to LDCs.  These two agencies are the 
Swiss Agency for Development and Co-operation (SDC) and the State Secretariat for Economic 
Affairs (SECO).  They are jointly responsible fo r the formulation and implementation of the Swiss 
international development cooperation policy.  While the SDC assumes the overall coordination 
function in matters pertaining to developmen t, SECO is the competent centre for economic 
development and the integration of developing a nd transition countries into the world economy.   
6. Another agency involved in technology transfer  activities in Switzerland is the Swiss National 
Science Foundation (SNSF).  Acting on a mandate issued by the Swiss Federal Government, the 
SNSF supports research inside and outside universities and fosters young scientific talent.  At an 
international level, the Swiss National Science F oundation aims - with its research programmes - to 
make a positive contribution to sci entific research in relevant areas of the world and to promote 
research cooperation between these areas and Switzerla nd.  At present, the Swiss National Science 
Foundation has a project in collaboration with th e SDC focused on research partnerships with 
developing countries, encompassing seve ral projects in LDCs (see Annex II). 
III. LEVELS OF SWISS ACTIVITIES PROM OTING TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER TO 
LDCS 
7. Switzerland's activities and incentives regarding t echnology transfer aim to increase the flow 
of technology to developing countries and to build  up capacities, which enable beneficiary countries 
to assess, adopt, manage and apply technologies.  The activities supported by the Swiss Government 
embrace projects at the bilateral,  regional and multilateral levels. 
8. SECO's and SDC's activities relevant to Article 66.2 of the TRIPS Agreement are carried out 
under the Swiss Official Devel opment Assistance Progr amme (ODA Programme).  The Swiss ODA  
Programme includes bilateral, regional and multilatera l initiatives and is primarily aimed at a selected 
group of priority countries in Latin America, A frica, Central and South East Asia and southeastern 
Europe.  Many of the projects contract Swiss as we ll as other deve loped country Members' enterprises 
and institutions to provide thei r knowledge and technology in assis ting the development of human 
capital, infrastructure and private sector enterprises in LDCs.  IP/C/W/558/Add.5 
 Page 3 
 
 
  9. At the multilateral level, Switzerland contributes to a variety of technical assistance trust 
funds with the World Bank Group and the regional development banks.  These funds are available to 
project managers of these banks seeking funding for technical assistance and technology transfer.  
Besides cooperation with these financ ial institutions, Switzerland is al so engaged in the development 
projects of many other international organisations  such as the World Health Organisation (WHO), the 
United Nations Industrial Devel opment Organization (UNIDO), the World Intellectual Property 
Organization (WIPO), the United Nations De velopment Programme (UNDP), the Food and 
Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the Internationa l Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and 
the Consultative Group on Internationa l Agricultural Rese arch (CGIAR). 
10. Switzerland supports various bilateral and multilate ral projects in order to promote investment 
as well as the efficiency and effectiveness of trade.  In investment promotion, the incentives of the 
Swiss ODA Programme aim at m obilising private capital, know-how and technologies to strengthen 
the financial intermediation system in LDCs as well as transferring know-how and technology to 
foster investments or joint ventures.  Concerning trade promotion, Switzerland cooperates mostly with 
other bilateral or multilateral agencies.  Trade-relate d assistance to LDCs is mainly delivered through 
multilateral programmes and organisations such as th e Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) and the 
UN Interagency Cluster on Trade and Productive Capac ities.  Herein, special thematic partnerships 
are maintained with ITC, UNCTAD, ILO, and UNIDO. 
IV. INSTRUMENTS FOR THE PROMOTION OF TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER 
11. One of the main goals of Switzerland's ec onomic and trade-rela ted cooperation with 
developing and transitional countries is the transf er of modern technology and of capital to these 
countries in order to better enable them to upgrad e their production facilities to the requirements of 
world markets and to become more competitive in the global economy.  The promotion of investment 
and of cooperation agreements between the privat e sectors in the North, South and East is an 
important instrument of development policy, whic h is primarily intended to support sustainable 
development in these partner countries. 
A. SUPPORT OF PRIVATE -SECTOR INVESTMENTS IN LDC S 
12. Switzerland promotes technology transfer to LD Cs by supporting small and medium-sized 
enterprises (SMEs) in several ways.  For instance,  it provides localised technical support for SMEs 
domiciled in LDCs such as Bangladesh, Benin and Mali.  In Bangladesh, Switzerland spends about 
Sw F 13 million annually for development projects, pa rt of which is spent on technical and financial 
support for SMEs. 
13. Switzerland also encourages Swiss SMEs to inv est in LDCs in order to enhance technology 
transfer to LDCs.  The SECO Start-up Fund is a lo an instrument established by the State Secretariat 
for Economic Affairs (SECO) in 1997.  The ad ministration of the Fund is delegated to 
FINANCEcontact in Zurich. The Fund promotes private sector investment projects in countries with economies under development or in transition, incl uding LDCs.  The projects must be commercially 
viable and meet recognised envir onmental and social standards.  Investments in developing and 
transition economies involve business risks beyond tho se generally encountered in Western countries.  
The aim of the Start-up Fund is to share financ ing and risks with the investor.  It does so by 
co-financing the initial investment phase.  Financing by the Start-up Fund is in the form of a loan that 
must be repaid within five years.  The SECO Star t-up Fund aims at enabling the transfer of capital, 
technological know-how and manage rial expertise through this process.  The Start-up Fund has 
actively supported SME activities in LDCs or countri es in transition through more than 74 projects, 
such as mango processing in Burkina Fa so and coffee processing in Zambia. IP/C/W/558/Add.5 
Page 4  
 
  14. Technology transfer to LDCs is also provide d by Swiss charitable institutions which are 
incentivised under tax exemption schemes establishe d by the Swiss Government.  The Novartis 
Foundation for Sustainable Development may serve as just one example of a Swiss institution to which the tax incentives apply and which is engaged in technology transfer to LDCs 
(see www.novartisfoundation.org ).  The Foundation not only supplies a large amount of cost-free 
medicines to many LDCs, but it also runs vari ous public health relate d projects including local 
training to promote Integrated Management of Ch ildhood Illness, training and supportive supervision 
of health personnel and the provision of training infrastructure. 
15. Switzerland is one of the investors in the Fonds de Garantie des Investissements Privés en 
Afrique de l'Ouest (Fonds GARI ).  The goal of this fund is to fac ilitate the access of private enterprises 
to loans by guaranteeing the risk s for such operations.  The fund provides guarantees to enterprises 
active in industrial manufacturing,the agro-industr y, fishery, mining, tourism, agriculture and 
services.  Those eligible to draw from the fund are enterprises from, among others, Benin, Burkina 
Faso, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger and Sierra Leone. 
16. Switzerland supports private participation in in frastructure in developing countries through 
facilities of the Private Infrastructure Developmen t Group (PIDG).  It has provided equity to the 
Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund which in turn provides long-term US$ or EUR denominated debt 
on commercial terms to finance the construction and development of private infrastructure in 
47 countries across sub-Saharan Africa.  It also  supports GuarantCo which enhances local currency 
debt issuance by private, municipal and parastatal  entities for infrastructure projects in lower income 
countries around the world.  Finally, it supports In fraCo (Africa) which develops projects by taking on 
the high costs and risks of early stage project de velopment, and makes infrastructure projects happen 
in situations where the private sector would not ot herwise be willing or able to invest.  There are 
currently active projects in Chad, Democratic  Republic of the Congo, Madagascar, Malawi, 
Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Tan zania, Uganda and Zambia.  
17. Moreover, Switzerland supports numerous initiatives to help improve access to finance and 
the business environment for both SMEs and privat e investments by way of technology and know-
how transfer.  Examples include the Doing Bu siness Better Initiative and a mortgage market 
development project in Burkina Faso, the Credit Bureau and Mobile Money Programmes, and the 
Africa Leasing Programme.  The Mekong Project Development Facility (including Lao PDR and Cambodia) assists SMEs in a variety of areas such  as business planning, identifying potential lenders 
or investors, marketing strategy, technical and ope rational assistance, quality control and certification, 
accounting and management information systems, etc. 
18. Finally, the Swiss Government also provides l ong-term financing for sm all and medium-sized 
enterprises in LDCs through private equity fund invest ments.  These funds provide equity investments 
for SMEs in the target countries and combine th e investment with a broad range of technical 
assistance to the beneficiary comp anies such as skill development, improvements in financial and 
accounting systems, assisting in marketing and distribution, risk assessment and implementing 
information technology systems.  Examples include the Aureos East Africa Fund (Sw F 8.4 million), 
the GroFin East Africa Fund (Sw F 3.6 million), the African Infrastructure Fund (Sw F 12 million), the SEAF Blue Waters Growth Fund (Sw F 8.4 m illion), and the responsAbility Investment Fund in 
combination with a separate TA fund (start-up m oney from the Swiss government of Sw F 7 million). 
B. C
OMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENT OF LDC  COMPANIES IN SWITZERLAND AND OTHER 
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES  
19. With its "Swiss Import Promotion Programme" (SIPPO), Switzerland supports exports from 
companies from developing and transition countr ies, including LDCs, to Switzerland and other 
European  countries. It also assists Swiss importers in finding new products and sources, also from  IP/C/W/558/Add.5 
 Page 5 
 
 
  LDCs.  Besides promoting consumer awareness fo r such products, Switzerland provides services such 
as advice on product design, business partner search, training in export marketing, and support for 
participation in trade fairs to companies domicile d in developing and transition countries, including 
LDCs. 
C. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND EXPORT RISK GUARANTEES  
20. Switzerland also provides non-reimbursable financial assistance (grants) to LDCs for the 
construction, rehabilitation or extension of infrastru cture in LDCs.  The Swiss grant contribution to 
these projects also covers transfer of technolog y, consulting services for project implementation as 
well as expertise for institutional (managerial) reforms and sector reforms.  A special focus is given to 
the establishment of public private partnerships for infrastructure services. 
21. The Swiss Export Risk Insurance (SERV) provi des a system of export risk insurances for 
goods and services destined for LDCs.  Export risk  insurances incentivise and facilitate exports to 
LDCs and ensure a constant technology transfer. 
D. TRADE AND CLEAN TECHNOLOGY COOPERATION  
22. Switzerland focuses on promoting the transfer of environmentally sound technologies.  A 
comprehensive programme for the establishment of so-called "Cleaner Production Centres" was set 
up.  The aim of the centres is to offer private comp anies and the public sector in LDCs a wide range 
of services including general information, in-plant  assessments, workshops, demonstration projects, 
capacity-building and support for the preparation of bankable projects.  The centres provide these 
services with the support of Swiss and other deve loped country Members' technical institutes, 
universities and industries.  Two four-year program mes for Sw F 1 million each have been established 
in this field with Cambodia and Lao PDR. 
23. Switzerland also supports programmes in the fi eld of energy efficiency, which aim at 
mitigating CO 2 emissions globally and controlling air pollution locally.  These projects are related to 
the traffic and transportation sector and to small a nd medium-sized industries (e.g. foundry, glass, and 
brick industries).  The main objective is to strengt hen local partners (capacity-building) and to pool 
international expertise in order to develop locally  adequate solutions (technology packages).  These 
pilot programmes are then evaluated, documented and disseminated at the national level.  In addition, 
Switzerland supports transfer of know-how, training and infrastructure in the field of environment 
monitoring and chemicals management. 
24. Switzerland and the World Bank jointly launched the National Strategy Study Programme in 
1997.  The Programme has assisted non-Annex I co untries of the Kyoto Protocol, which includes a 
substantive number of LDCs, in defining their negotiating positions and effectively using the 
emerging international carbon market incentives for climate change technology transfer.  After a 
series of over 20 national strategy studies for deve loping and transition countries, Switzerland pooled 
its funds in 2006 with other donors in the Carbon Fi nance Assist trust fund managed by the World 
Bank Institute.  This programme supports the impl ementation of the flexible mechanisms under the 
UNFCCC through:  (i) institutional capacity building;  (ii) market development;  and (iii) outreach. 
25. Strategic partners at the national level ar e the Designated National Authorities.  The 
programme is also closely cooperating with highly specialised consultants, research institutions and 
the private sector.  More recently, the programme ha s joined forces with the large city grouping C-40 
in order to seize CDM opportunities in megacities.  Over 50 per cent of the world's population live in 
urban areas and are responsible for 75 per cent of global power consumption and emissions.  
However, cities are under-represented as project owners  in the CDM so far.  The programme aims at IP/C/W/558/Add.5 
Page 6  
 
  closing this gap.  In 2009, Switzerland increased  its contribution to Carbon Finance Assist by 
Sw F 5 million for the period 2010-2012. 
26. With specific trade facilitation programmes, Swit zerland promotes the integration of LDCs in 
the global economy.  As an example, Mozambique has been supported to enhance the competitiveness 
of its selected major agro-produ cts such as cashew nuts, fruits and vegetables and to achieve 
international standards such as HACCP (Hazard An alysis Critical Control Point) or EUREPGAP 
(Euro-Retailer Produce Working Group - Good Agricultu ral Practice).  Relevant ministries and state 
agencies in Mozambique get on-the-job training to  define a national cotton-processing strategy.  A 
programme with Tanzania includes export developm ent of specialty coffee and cashew nuts and aims 
at improving the country's quality infrastructure (e .g. the Tanzanian Bureau of Standards, the  
Weights and Measures Agency and the Tanzania Food and Drug Authority) to assure compliance with 
international technical barriers for trade a nd sanitary and phytosanitary measures system 
requirements. Both these projects could successfully be finalised in 2010.  In the context of the 
Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF), Switzerla nd has joined forces with the CEB UN Cluster on 
trade and productive capacities to support LDCs' inte gration into the world trading system.  A first 
pilot country programme has been launched in Lao PDR, which has been initiated operationally 
in 2010. 
E. T
RAINING  
27. Another important focus of Swiss know-how transfer activities is the teaching of personnel 
from LDCs.  Capacity-building is an important part of  every technology transfer project.  In addition, 
Switzerland is carrying out training programmes to also specifically benefit LDCs.  For example, 
qualified applicants from LDCs regularly attend an  intellectual property training course for three 
months in two successive places:  first at the WIPO headquarters in Geneva, then at the " Centre 
d'Etudes Internationales de la Propriété Industrielle " in Strasbourg. 
28. The Swiss Tropical Institute offers a postgradua te diploma course entitled "Health Care and 
Management in Tropical Countries".  More than half of the participants in this course regularly come 
from LDCs.  Their participation is possible thanks to the scholarships offered by the 
Swiss Government. 
F. RESEARCH ACTIVITIES  
29. Another kind of technology transfer, which Sw itzerland engages in, is collaborating with 
international organisations and/or with LDCs directly in research, particularly in the public health 
domain.  For example, the Swiss Tropical Institute  and other Swiss institutions provide advice and 
assistance to WHO for its "Roll-Back Malaria" pr ogramme.  The programme aims at halving the 
world's malaria burden by the year 2010.  SDC prom otes research partnerships in a number of LDCs, 
including support through multi-year programme f unding such as the National Centres of Competence 
in Research North-South, the Research partnerships with developing countries originated by the Swiss 
National Science Foundation, the Swiss Universiti es of Applied Science, and the Scientific 
Cooperation Fund implemented by the Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne. 
G. OTHER INSTRUMENTS  
30. In addition to the activities mentioned ab ove, Switzerland has also engaged in 
capacity-building in and technology transfer to de veloping and least developed countries according to 
the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and its provisions on access and benefit-sharing.  
Switzerland is also supporting the BioTrade Initiativ e of the United Nations Conference on Trade and 
Development, which shall promote trade and inv estments in products and services derived from the 
sustainable use of biodiversity.  IP/C/W/558/Add.5 
 Page 7 
 
 
  31. The Lausanne Group (LG), working under the au spices of the Swiss Federal Institute of 
Technology, carried on its analysis of systemic issu es that technology transfers to LDCs raise.  The 
LG aims to find new ways of promoting, incentiv ising and testing models for technology transfer, 
e.g. by means of public-private partnerships or similar specialised agencies or entities.  One major 
goal of the LG is to find vehicles that help better match supply and demand of technology in 
developed countries and LDCs respectively.  For m onitoring purposes and fu rther examination, the 
group identified a project involving the transfer of  wood chipper technology from the Swiss region of 
the Emmental to the region of Mafinga in Tanzania .  The project "Waste wood to heat and electricity 
in Tanzania's southern highlands", which has been  launched in 2011 and is also supported by REPIC 
(cf. para. 33), could provide a valuable basis for exploring solutions to overcome some major 
obstacles to making technology transfers to LDCs ha ppen.  The objective is to devise a toolbox setting 
out important parameters to be observed which can enable and facilitate technology transfer 
operations. 
V. DOMAINS OF SWISS TECHNOL OGY TRANSFER ACTIVITIES 
32. Switzerland promotes technology transfer in domains that are of highest importance to the 
LDCs.  Specifically, the Swiss Govern ment fosters technology transfer to LDCs in the fields of public 
health, water supply and sanitation, agriculture, food  industry, machine industry, textiles, chemical 
industry, clean energy and eco-technology and, inte llectual property protection.  For an overview of 
ongoing projects, see Annex I and II. 
33. Switzerland also promotes and incentivises technol ogy transfer to LDCs in domains in which 
it has special expertise.  These include the mach ine industry as well as the manufacturing of precision 
instruments and chemical products.  The promotion of  transfer of environmentally sound technologies 
to LDCs is another domain in wh ich Switzerland is active.  Here, the goal is to transfer both 
knowledge and methods that help  meet environmental standard s.  These programmes focus 
particularly on technology transfer in the metal,  paper, cement, food and textile industries.  
Furthermore, Switzerland supports the transfer of technologies in the field of renewable energies 
through its REPIC platform. 
34. In the public health sector, the Swiss Govern ment encourages technology transfer between 
Switzerland and other LDCs in various ways incl uding research funding, consulting and assistance.  
Switzerland spends about Sw F 35 million annually on technolog y transfer to Mozambique, 
particularly in the domains of public health and sustainable water supply. 
35. Finally, Switzerland offers LDCs assistance in pr eparing and enforcing laws on the protection 
of intellectual property rights.  It also supports th e LDCs domestic offices executing these tasks.  The 
Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property offe rs state-of-the-art searches free of charge for 
LDCs, and, by doing so, encourages innovative enterp rises and industries in LDCs to use the patent 
system, to benefit from the information which can be gathered through this system as well as to protect their own inventions, thereby encouraging the building of technological capacity in LDCs.  
Switzerland is also actively involved in the exchan ge of information regarding the protection and 
administration of intellectual property rights with LDCs. 
VI.  CONCLUDING REMARKS 
36. In conclusion, Switzerland reaffirms its commit ment to actively engage in the provision of 
incentives for an enhanced technology transfer to LDCs and is working on continuously improving its 
activities and reporting in this regard.  Over the past few years, Members have come to a better 
understanding of what the terms 'technology transfer ' and 'incentive' should cover in the context of 
implementation of Article 66.2 of the TRIPS Ag reement.  This understa nding and the continued 
dialogue between developed countri es and LDCs will contribute to further improving developed IP/C/W/558/Add.5 
Page 8  
 
  countries' annual reports, both in terms of format and content.  In parallel, discussions must continue 
to explore new and alternative ways of more eff ectively incentivising enterprises to transfer suitable 
technology and know-how to LDCs, always keep ing in mind the wider context and framework 
conditions of governmental and priv ate engagements aimed at building local capacity and fostering 
sustainable development in LDCs. 
37. As stated in earlier reports, government incentiv es to provide technology transfer to third 
countries are only one of many factors relevant for companies' decisions regarding where to direct 
their foreign investments and transfer their tec hnology.  Overall conditions in LDCs are often 
unfavourable to foreign enterprises that, in princi ple, would have the capability and the willingness to 
transfer their technology and know-how.  LDCs thus  need to persistently work towards an enabling 
environment which attracts foreign investment and t echnology transfer.  Some of the decisive factors 
that contribute to attracting technology are fa vourable overall macroeconom ic and microeconomic 
conditions, a safe legal framework (including an account able judicial system, adequate protection of 
intellectual property rights and a well-functioning government administration) and market potential at the national level.  These factors are often directly  related to the level of development in a specific 
country. 
38. The programmes for technical cooperation and capacity building in the field of public 
financial management and the strengthening of th e finance sector were strongly enhanced.  New 
global initiatives started like the one of the World Ba nk in the field of management of financial risks 
or the thematic trust funds with the IMF in th e field of tax administration and management of 
commodity revenues in order to meet the incr eased needs for support from developing countries. 
Under the Swiss supported Multilateral Debt Relief  Initiative (MDRI, launched in 2006) the debt 
burden of 36 countries could be substantially re duced. In order to enable developing countries 
maintain also in future a sound public financial system and sufficient funds for poverty alleviation, 
SECO supported various programmes for strengthening debt management and mobilisation of tax 
revenues.  IP/C/W/558/Add.5 
 Page 9 
 
 
  ANNEX I  
 
SWISS INCENTIVES FOR TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER IN LDCS BY COUNTRY AND 
PROJECT, DIVIDED INTO REGIONS 
 
Comment:  The activities supported by the Swiss Government embrace projects at the bilateral, 
regional, interregiona l and global levels. 
 
Country Field  Knowledge/ 
Technology  Mechanism  Budget for 2010, 
unless otherwise 
indicated  
Global Projects1 
Global, incl. 
Madagascar, Senegal, Mali  Renewable energy, 
energy efficiency Wind, solar, biomass, 
geothermal, hydropower energy 
(www.repic.ch) REPIC - Swiss platform 
for Renewable Energy Promotion in International 
cooperation  Sw F 4,000,000 
(2007-2010) 
Global, incl. 
Cambodia, Lao PDR  Industry / 
environment Cleaner production: 
Identification and implementation of 
Environmentally Sound 
Technologies Training of consultants, 
company assessments, together with UNIDO, 
Swiss Federal Institute of 
Technology and Material Testing EMPA Sw F 2,000,000 
per year 
Global, incl. 
Uganda  Biodiversity Biotrade products, 
under sustainable 
management plans UNCTAD; consultancy Sw F 3,000,000 
(2008-2011) 
Global, with 
focus on sub-
Saharan Africa  CDM capacity 
building CDM-methodologies; 
institutional capacity of 
Designated National Authorities World Bank (CF Assist); 
consultancy; knowledge 
transfer in host country committee; CDM fairs Sw F 5,000,000 
(2010-2012) 
Global,  incl. 
Lao PDR Trade capacity 
building Product quality 
assurance UN cluster "trade + 
productive capacity" 
UNIDO, ILO, ITC, UNCTAD Sw F 4,000,000 
(2010-2013) 
Global Enhanced 
Integrated 
Framework Technical assistence in 
the area of trade for 
LDC.  WTO Secretariat USD 200'000 
Global Trade law and 
policy Promotion of Human 
Capacities in Trade 
Law and Policy WTI Institute, University 
of Bern Sw F 5'700'000 
(2010-2013) 
Single Countries / bilateral Projects 
Bangladesh Water and 
sanitation (Public health) Arsenic mitigation in 
water;  arsenic free water harvesting 
technologies; 
prevention and treatment of infectious 
diseases Local adaptation of 
technologies with Skat consulting; test kits with 
Swiss Federal Institute of 
Aquatic Science and Technology (EAWAG). 
Joint research with the 
University of Bern Sw F 230,000 
Bangladesh Water and 
sanitation Improvement of  
sustainable water 
supply and sanitation, especially to the poor World Bank supports 
reform of water supply, 
hygiene and sanitation services Sw F 488,647 
                                                      
1 These projects cover both developing countries and LDCs.  An estimated 20 per cent of the amounts 
are allocated in LDCs. IP/C/W/558/Add.5 
Page 10  
 
  Country Field  Knowledge/ 
Technology  Mechanism  Budget for 2010, 
unless otherwise 
indicated  
both in rural and urban 
areas 
Burkina Faso Drinking water 
and sanitation Technology and know-
how in waste water 
management; policy 
advice Training courses in 
Lausanne and on-site by 
Swiss Federal Institute of 
Technology, Lausanne Sw F 805,000 
Per year 
Lao PDR  Agriculture  
(lowland irrigated rice) Irrigation research and 
extension Irrigated Rice Research 
Consortium (regional platform) Sw F 2,100,000 
(Lao PDR component) 
Lao PDR WTO Accession 
support (phase III) Facilitate and accelerate 
Lao PDR's accession to 
the WTO through the provision of tailor-
made policy advice IDEAS Center Geneva Sw F 650'000 
(2010-2013) 
Lao PDR Intellectual 
Property Project Strengthening the IPR 
system of Lao PDR and bring in line with WTO Swiss Federal Institute of 
Intellectual Property, Bern, Switzerland Sw F 250'000 
(2010-2012) 
Madagascar Rural development Participatory bottom-up 
approach; know-how 
transfer Consultancy project 
management support by 
NGO Intercooperation, Switzerland Sw F 4,500,000 
Mali Promotion of trade 
in organic cotton Marketing knowledge; 
establishment of direct 
links between 
producers in Mali and 
Swiss importers Consultants work with the 
marketing boards and local 
producers; development of 
locally produced, natural 
pesticides. Sw F 1,000,000 
(2005-2012) 
Mozambique Water and 
sanitation Improvement of  
sustainable water 
supply and sanitation, 
especially to the poor both in rural and urban 
areas World Bank supports 
reform of water supply, 
hygiene and sanitation 
services Sw F 1,400,000 
Mozambique Health Health systems' 
strengthening Health service delivery 
programmes Expertise and training 
courses by the Swiss Tropical Institute, Basle; 
consultancy Sw.F. 6,000,000 
Nepal Energy Transfer of energy-
efficient brick technology  Implemented by 
Skat Consulting, Switzerland Sw F 1,120,000 
Niger Water and 
sanitation Improvement of  
sustainable water 
supply and sanitation, especially to the poor 
both in rural and urban 
areas World Bank supports 
reform of water supply, 
hygiene and sanitation services Sw F 215,000 
Tanzania Health Reform of health 
system in city of Dar es 
Salaam;  prevention of tropical diseases 
(malaria) Expertise and training 
courses by the Swiss 
Tropical Institute, Basle; consultancy Sw F 7,950,000  IP/C/W/558/Add.5 
 Page 11 
 
 
  ANNEX II  
 
RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS WITH LDC s 
 
Several research programmes and funds are availabl e for research partnerships between Switzerland 
and developing countries, including LDCs: 
 
 "NCCR North-South " is one of the National Centres of Competence in Research of the Swiss 
National Science Foundation (SNSF). The NCCR No rth-South supports research in the field 
of sustainable development. Research projects of the NCCR North-South are implemented in collaboration with Swiss scientific institutions and partner institutions in Africa, Asia and 
Latin America. The SDC finances the partners  in developing and transition countries. 
 
 The SNSF-SDC programme "Research Partnerships with Developing Countries " provides 
grants for partnership research projects between  a Swiss university and a research institution 
from a developing country. 
 
 The programme "Promotion of Research Partnerships between Developing and Transition 
Countries and the Swiss Universities of Applied Sciences " supports initiatives of the Swiss 
Universities of Applied Sciences in their effort s to advance applied research and development 
by way of partnerships with de veloping or transition countries. 
 
 The "Scientific Cooperation Fund EPFL-SDC " provides grants for partnership research 
projects between one of the EPFL's research  units and a research institution from a 
developing country.  
 SDC invests approximately Sw F 6 million per year in  this type of international scientific cooperation 
with developing countries.  
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